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Attn: If you belong to a hunting group

Since I'm not a member of any hunting groups, I don't know if they are aware, of this current anti-hunting group activity.

On July 13, 2016, both the BEAR group, and the Humane Society, spoke at the Oakland Council meeting during the "Open to the Public" portion of the meeting. We were subjected to the usual misinterpreted statistics, their version of science, and the like. The council was asked to follow a couple of other municipalities (Butler was mentioned) in passing an ordinance prohibiting bear hunting in Oakland.

The Bear group cleverly used an (apparently) frail "old lady" to represent them, so anyone who spoke against her, or pointed out any of her lies, would appear to be a bully.

Since both groups came to the same meeting, I assume this was coordinated.

After they were done, the Borough Attorney, pointed out that the only places in Oakland where hunting is currently possible, are under State or County jurisdiction, and that any such ordinance would be worthless (or words to that effect).

In other less developed municipalities, the attorney might not be able to say that.

FYI:
As I interpret current ordinances, Oakland has a "no discharge" ordinance that pretty much covers all residential zones, business/industrial zones, as well as municipal parks/schools/playgrounds.
Bergen County has a "no weapons" rule for the county parks.
That leaves the Ramapo State Forest as the only current hunting opportunity in Oakland.

Re: Attn: If you belong to a hunting group

Only the state can make fish and game laws and that is extremely well known within the hunting community. Many liberal towns attempt to get around this by passing "no discharge" ordinances which effectively ban hunting without coming out and saying that is the end goal. Obviously, many NJ towns should have a no discharge ordinance, at least for firearms, due to excessive population density. But archery is another issue, and many towns are reconsidering no discharge ordinances to drop archery as they watch deer populations and resulting damage explode. Your area Pete, and east of you, are the big issues in NJ. But there is growing dialogue to allow bowhunting for deer as that animal does a lot of damage.

As for anti hunting groups using all sorts of sneaky tactics, that is nothing new. But if you look around the state, the antis are losing ground, not gaining. Case in point: this October, NJ will hold its first ever archery hunt for 6 days, the latter 3 days of which a muzzleloader can be used if the hunter has the appropriate licenses and bear permit. Bears are out in force in October looking to fatten up for winter, and bow hunters for deer know that October is called "the October lull" for a reason. Now we can target bear instead of only deer.

Re: Attn: If you belong to a hunting group

Just thought I'd pass it along...

If you don't live in Oakland, and subscribe to Cablevision, or FIOS TV, you can't watch our council meetings. The way it seemed to be coordinated, led me to believe that they're doing in other towns as well.

Re: Attn: If you belong to a hunting group

Originally Posted by Pete

Just thought I'd pass it along...

If you don't live in Oakland, and subscribe to Cablevision, or FIOS TV, you can't watch our council meetings. The way it seemed to be coordinated, led me to believe that they're doing in other towns as well.

I cross-posted at GST, and on the NJOA Facebook page.

Yup, they're getting desperate since we just finished 6 continuous years of December bear hunts and are about to add a fall season. Damned bears are getting like so many mosquitos here in western Morris County. And this is not exactly prime bear habitat. They just keep spreading everywhere like locusts. A fall archery and muzzy season will put a smack down on them for sure. Last fall I only sat in my Sparta bow stand twice, and both times I saw zero deer but bears everywhere.

Re: Attn: If you belong to a hunting group

Originally Posted by Rusty Spinner

Yup, they're getting desperate since we just finished 6 continuous years of December bear hunts and are about to add a fall season. Damned bears are getting like so many mosquitos here in western Morris County. And this is not exactly prime bear habitat. They just keep spreading everywhere like locusts. A fall archery and muzzy season will put a smack down on them for sure. Last fall I only sat in my Sparta bow stand twice, and both times I saw zero deer but bears everywhere.

Make sure you make some nice rugs and slippers when you get a bear.

You need to make a bear head hat, with a cape, and wear it when you go fishing.

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
Mark Twain

Re: Attn: If you belong to a hunting group

Originally Posted by Rusty Spinner

...... Obviously, many NJ towns should have a no discharge ordinance, at least for firearms, due to excessive population density.......

I got the impression that our "no discharge" zone is about safety. Even so, it's kind of superfluous. You'd have a hard time finding a spot to stand, in the no discharge zone, where you'd be more than 450 feet from a building or playground.

As far as I know archery isn't restricted except on certain Borough property. As a matter of fact, I once saw archery targets set up in the middle school gym.